Oscillating positive respiratory pressure device

ABSTRACT

A respiratory treatment device includes a housing enclosing a chamber, a chamber inlet configured to receive a flow of air into the chamber, a first chamber outlet configured to permit the flow of air to exit the chamber, and a second chamber outlet configured to permit the flow of air to exit the chamber. A vane mounted within the chamber is configured to rotate between a first position where the flow of air is directed to exit the chamber through the first chamber outlet, and a second position where the flow of air is directed to exit the chamber through the second chamber outlet. A blocking member disposed on the vane is moveable relative to the chamber inlet between a closed position where the flow of air through the chamber inlet is restricted, and an open position where the flow of air through the chamber inlet is less restricted.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/868,667, filed on Aug. 22, 2013, pending, which is incorporatedherein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a respiratory treatment device, and inparticular, to an oscillating positive respiratory pressure device.

BACKGROUND

Each day, humans may produce upwards of 30 milliliters of sputum, whichis a type of bronchial secretion. Normally, an effective cough issufficient to loosen secretions and clear them from the body's airways.However, for individuals suffering from more significant bronchialobstructions, such as collapsed airways, a single cough may beinsufficient to clear the obstructions.

One type of therapy, utilizing oscillating positive expiratory pressure(“OPEP”), is often used to address this issue. OPEP therapy representsan effective bronchial hygiene technique for the removal of bronchialsecretions in the human body and is an important aspect in the treatmentand continuing care of patients with bronchial obstructions, such asthose suffering from chronic obstructive lung disease. It is believedthat OPEP therapy, or the oscillation of exhalation pressure at themouth during exhalation, effectively transmits an oscillating backpressure to the lungs, thereby splitting open obstructed airways andloosening the secretions contributing to bronchial obstructions.

OPEP therapy is an attractive form of treatment because it can be easilytaught to most hospitalized patients, and such patients can assumeresponsibility for the administration of OPEP therapy throughout theirhospitalization and also once they have returned home. To that end, anumber of portable OPEP devices have been developed.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one aspect, a respiratory treatment device includes a housingenclosing a chamber, a chamber inlet configured to receive a flow of airinto the chamber, a first chamber outlet configured to permit the flowof air to exit the chamber, and a second chamber outlet configured topermit the flow of air to exit the chamber. A vane mounted within thechamber is configured to rotate between a first position where the flowof air is directed to exit the chamber through the first chamber outlet,and a second position where the flow of air is directed to exit thechamber through the second chamber outlet. A blocking member disposed onthe vane is moveable relative to the chamber inlet between a closedposition where the flow of air through the chamber inlet is restricted,and an open position where the flow of air through the chamber inlet isless restricted.

In another aspect, the vane may be configured to rotate in response tothe flow of air into the chamber. The vane may be configured torepeatedly reciprocate between the first position and the secondposition in response to the flow of air into the chamber. The vane mayalso be prohibited from completing a complete revolution.

In another aspect, a size of the blocking member may be greater than asize of the chamber inlet. Alternatively, a size of the blocking membermay be less than a size of the chamber inlet.

In another aspect, an axis of rotation of the vane may be offset from acenter of the vane.

In another aspect, the respiratory treatment also includes a mouthpiece,wherein a cross sectional area of the mouthpiece is larger than a crosssectional area of the chamber inlet. In addition, an inhalation port maybe in communication with the mouthpiece, the inhalation port having aone-way valve configured to open upon inhalation and close uponexhalation.

In yet another aspect, a respiratory treatment device includes a housingenclosing a chamber, an inlet configured to receive a flow of air intothe chamber, and an outlet configured to permit the flow of air to exitchamber. A blocking member mounted in the chamber is moveable relativeto the chamber outlet between a closed position where the flow of airthrough the exit is restricted, and an open position where the flow ofair through the chamber outlet is less restricted. At least one vanerotatably mounted in the chamber is configured to move the blockingmember between the closed position and the open position in response tothe flow of air into the chamber.

In another aspect, the blocking member may be connected to the at leastone vane by a shaft and at least one linkage. The shaft and the at leastone linkage may cooperate to move the blocking member in linearreciprocating motion.

In another aspect, the blocking member may be configured to move betweenthe open position and the closed position in response to contact from anarm connected to the at least one vane.

In another aspect, the blocking member may be biased toward the openposition.

In another aspect, the at least one vane comprises a turbine having aplurality of vanes.

In another aspect, the chamber comprises a first portion enclosing theat least one vane and a second portion enclosing the blocking member.The first portion may be in communication with the second portion.

In another aspect, the respiratory treatment also includes a mouthpiece,wherein a cross sectional area of the mouthpiece is larger than a crosssectional area of the chamber inlet. In addition, an inhalation port maybe in communication with the mouthpiece, the inhalation port having aone-way valve configured to open upon inhalation and close uponexhalation.

In yet another aspect, a method of performing respiratory treatmentincludes receiving a flow of air into a device having an inletconfigured to receive a flow of air into the device, a first outletconfigured to permit the flow air to exit the device, and a secondoutlet configured to permit the flow of air to exit the device. Themethod further includes rotating a vane mounted within the devicerepeatedly between a first position where the flow of air is directed toexit the chamber through the first chamber outlet, and a second positionwhere the flow of air is directed to exit the chamber through the secondchamber outlet. The method also includes moving a blocking memberdisposed on the vane relative to the chamber inlet between a closedposition where the flow of air through the chamber inlet is restricted,and an open position where the flow of air through the chamber inlet isless restricted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of an OPEPdevice;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the OPEP device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the OPEP device of FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a blocking member disposed on a vanemountable within the OPEP device of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5A-5E are cross-sectional views illustrating the operation of theOPEP device of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 6A-6F are cross-section views illustrating exemplary modificationsto the OPEP device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of an OPEPdevice;

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the OPEP device of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the OPEP device of FIG. 7, shown with afont cover of the device removed;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the OPEP device of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the OPEP device of FIG. 7, shown withthe front cover of the device removed;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the OPEP device of the FIG. 7, shownwith a rear cover of the device removed, and with a blocking member inan open position;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the OPEP device of FIG. 7, shown withthe rear cover of the device removed, and with the blocking member in aclosed position;

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of a third embodiment of an OPEPdevice;

FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of the OPEP device of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the OPEP device of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an assembly of the internal componentsof the OPEP device of FIG. 14;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the OPEP device of FIG. 14; and,

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a one-way valve usable in the OPEPdevice of FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a first embodiment of an OPEP device 100 isshown. In general, the OPEP device 100 includes a housing 102 enclosinga chamber 104, a chamber inlet 106, a first chamber outlet 108, a secondchamber outlet 110, a mouthpiece 112 in communication with the chamberinlet 106, a vane 114 mounted within the chamber 104, and a blockingmember 116 disposed on the vane 114.

The housing 102 and OPEP device 100 components may be constructed of anydurable material, such as a low friction plastic or polymer, and mayinclude a front section 103 and a rear section 105 that are removablyattachable such that the chamber 104 may be periodically accessed forcleaning and/or replacement of the vane 114. In addition, although themouthpiece 112 is shown as being fixedly attached to the housing 102, itis envisioned that the mouthpiece 112 may be removeable and replaceablewith a mouthpiece of a different shape or size. Preferably, the size orcross-sectional area of the mouthpiece 112 is greater than the size orcross-sectional area of the chamber inlet 106. It is envisioned thatother user interfaces, such as breathing tubes or gas masks (not shown),may alternatively be associated with the housing 102.

As shown in FIG. 3, the vane 114 is rotatably mounted within the chamber104 about a shaft 118. The shaft 118 may be supported by bearings 120 a,120 b formed in the housing 102. As shown in FIG. 4, the vane 114 isformed as a generally planar member adapted for rotation about the shaft118 positioned at the center of the vane 114. Alternatively, the vane114 could be formed with any number of curves or contours. A blockingmember 116 is disposed on an end of the vane 114 and is adapted to moverelative to the chamber inlet 106 between an closed position, where theflow of air through the chamber inlet 106 is restricted by the blockingmember 116, and an open position where the flow of air through thechamber inlet 106 is less restricted. As shown, the blocking member 116is curved, such that it may travel in close proximity to the chamberinlet 106. The blocking member 116 is also sized and shaped such thatthe flow of air through the chamber inlet 106 may be completedrestricted when the blocking member 116 is in a closed position. Asdiscussed below, it is envisioned that the blocking member 116 and/orthe chamber inlet 106 could be any number of shapes and sizes, and thatthe blocking member 116 may only partially restrict the flow of airthrough the chamber inlet 106 when the blocking member 116 is in aclosed position.

The operation of the OPEP device 100 will now be described withreference to the illustrations shown in FIGS. 5A-5E. In FIGS. 5A-5E, theflow of air through the device 100 is illustrated by dashed lines.However, it should be appreciated that the dashed lines are exemplaryand provided for purposes of illustration. The actual flow air throughthe device 100 may traverse any number of flow paths.

As shown in FIG. 5A, administration of OPEP therapy using the OPEPdevice 100 begins with the vane 114 in a first position, and theblocking member 116 in an open position. With the vane 114 in thisposition, exhaled air flowing into the mouthpiece 112 enters the chamber104 through the chamber inlet 106, where it is directed by the vane 114toward the rear portion of the of the chamber 104, denoted in FIG. 5A by“X”, and generally toward the first chamber outlet 108. Although some ofthe exhaled air exits the OPEP device 100 through the first chamberoutlet 108, as a user continues to exhale, the pressure in the rearportion of the chamber 104 increases, causing the vane 114 to begin torotate in a clockwise direction.

As a user continues to exhale, the vane 114 rotates from the positionshown in FIG. 5A to the position shown in FIG. 5B. In this position,exhaled air flowing into the chamber 104 may exit the chamber 104through the first chamber exit 108, or flow around the vane 114 and exitthe chamber 104 through the second chamber exit 110. The blocking member116 in this position is also partially restricting the flow of airthrough the chamber inlet 106, thereby causing the pressure in themouthpiece 112 to increase. In this position, some of the exhaled airexits the OPEP device 100 through the first chamber outlet 108. However,as a user continues to exhale, pressure in the rear of the chamber 104,along with the flow of air around the vane 114, cause the vane 114 tocontinue to rotate in a clockwise direction.

As a user continues to exhale, the vane 114 rotates from the positionshown in FIG. 5B to the position shown in FIG. 5C. In this position, theblocking member 116 is in a closed position, and exhaled air iscompletely restricted from flowing through the chamber inlet 106 intothe chamber 104, thereby causing the pressure in the mouthpiece 112 torapidly increase. In this position, the momentum of the vane 114 and theblocking member 116 continue to drive the vane 114 in a clockwisedirection.

As the vane 114 continues to rotate in a clockwise direction, the vane114 rotates from the position shown in FIG. 5C to the position shown inFIG. 5D. In this position, exhaled air flowing into the chamber 104 mayexit the chamber 104 through the second chamber exit 110, or flow aroundthe vane 114 and exit the chamber 104 through the first chamber exit108. In this position, the momentum of the vane 114 and the blockingmember 116 is sufficient to overcome any opposing forces and continuerotating the vane 114 in a clockwise direction.

As the vane 114 continues to rotate in a clockwise direction, the vane114 rotates from the position shown in FIG. 5D to the position shown inFIG. 5E. Additional rotation of the vane 114 is prevented if the vane114 contacts the housing 102. With the vane 114 in this position,exhaled air flowing into the mouthpiece 112 enters the chamber 104through the chamber inlet 106, where it is directed by the vane 114toward the rear portion of the of the chamber 104, denoted in FIG. 5E by“X”, and generally toward the second chamber outlet 110. Although someof the exhaled air exits the OPEP device 100 through the second chamberoutlet 110, as a user continues to exhale, the pressure in the rearportion of the chamber 104 increases, causing the vane 114 to begin torotate in a counter clockwise direction, repeating the cycle describedabove, although in reverse order.

During a period of exhalation, the vane 114 rotates repeatedly betweenthe first position and the second position in clockwise andcounter-counterclockwise directions. As this movement is repeated, theblocking member 116 moves repeatedly between a closed position, wherethe flow of air through the chamber inlet 106 is restricted by theblocking member 116, and an open position, where the flow of air throughthe chamber inlet 106 is less restricted. Consequently, the pressure inthe mouthpiece 112, or user interface, oscillates between a higherpressure and a lower pressure, which pressures are in turn transmittedto the user's airways, thereby administering OPEP therapy.

Turning to FIGS. 6A-6F, various modifications to the OPEP device 100 areshown. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, exemplary modifications to thechamber inlet 106 are shown. Whereas the chamber inlet 106 shown in FIG.3 is sized and shaped as a long and narrow horizontal opening, as shownin FIG. 6A, a chamber inlet 106′ may be sized and shaped as a long andnarrow opening, or as shown in FIG. 6B, a chamber inlet 106″ may besized and shaped as two narrow openings. It is also envisioned that theopening could be shaped as a cross, a circle, a square, or any othernumber of shapes, or combination of shapes. In this way, the shape andsize of the chamber inlet 106 may be selected to achieve the desiredperformance of the OPEP device 100.

As shown in FIGS. 6C-6F, exemplary modification to the vane 114 and theblocking member 116 are shown. For example, as compared to the blockingmember 116 shown in FIGS. 3-4, a blocking member 116′ shown in FIG. 6Cis larger, thereby restricting the flow of air through the chamber inlet106 for a longer period while the blocking member 116′ is in a closedposition. Similarly, as compared to the vane 114 shown in FIGS. 3-4, avane 114′ and a vane 114″ are shorter in length, thereby changing thespeed or frequency at which the vanes rotate, and the pressures at whichthe OPEP device 100 operates. In general, a shorter vane will oscillatefaster, while a longer vane will oscillate slower. Finally, as shown inFIG. 6F, a vane 114′″ is configured to have an axis of rotation, or theposition of the shaft 118, offset from a center of the vane 114′″. It isalso envisioned that the total rotation of a vane may be selected oradjusted, for example, by changing the length of the vane whilemaintaining the size of the housing, or by providing a stop in thehousing that limits the rotation of the vane. In general, an increase inthe amount of rotation will result in a decreased frequency, while adecrease in the amount of rotation will result in an increasedfrequency.

Referring to FIGS. 7-13, a second embodiment of an OPEP device 200 isshown. In general, the OPEP device 200 includes a housing 202 enclosinga chamber 204 having a first portion 207 and a second portion 209 joinedby a passage 211, a chamber inlet 206, a chamber outlet 208, amouthpiece 212 in communication with the chamber inlet 206, a turbine214 rotatably mounted within the chamber 204 via a shaft 218, a blockingmember 216, a first linkage 220, and a second linkage 222.

The housing 202 and OPEP device 200 components may be constructed of anydurable material, such as a low friction plastic or polymer, and mayinclude a front cover 203 and a rear cover 205 that are removablyattachable such that the chamber 204 may be periodically accessed forcleaning and/or replacement of the turbine 214 and/or linkages 220, 222.In addition, although the mouthpiece 212 is shown as being fixedlyattached to the housing 202, it is envisioned that the mouthpiece 212may be removeable and replaceable with a mouthpiece of a different shapeor size. Preferably, the size or cross-sectional area of the mouthpiece212 is greater than the size or cross-sectional area of the chamberinlet 206. It is envisioned that other user interfaces, such asbreathing tubes or gas masks (not shown), may alternatively beassociated with the housing 202.

As shown in FIGS. 9-11, the turbine 214 is rotatably mounted via theshaft 218 within the first portion 207 of the chamber 204 and isconfigured to rotate in response to a flow of air through the chamberinlet 206. As shown, the turbine 214 includes a plurality of vanes,although it is envisioned that the turbine could have as few as onevane, or many more vanes. The size and shape of the vanes may also vary.

As shown in FIGS. 12-13, the first linkage 220, the second linkage 222,and the blocking member 216 are mounted within the second portion 209 ofthe chamber 204. The first linkage 220 is fixed about one end to theshaft 218, and as such, is configured to rotate in unison with theturbine 214. The second linkage 222 is hinged to the other end of thefirst linkage 220, as well as the blocking member 216. The blockingmember 216 is surrounded by and in sliding engagement with a first pairand a second pair of guide rails 224, 226. In this way, rotation of theturbine 214 and shaft 218 causes rotation of the first linkage 220,translation and rotation of the second linkage 222, and ultimately,linear translation or reciprocation of the blocking member 216 betweenthe position shown in FIG. 12 and the position shown in FIG. 13. In theposition shown in FIG. 13, the blocking member 216 is in a closedposition, where the flow of air through the chamber outlet 208 (seen inFIG. 8) is restricted by the blocking member 216, whereas, in theposition shown in FIG. 12, the blocking member 216 is in a closedposition, where the flow of air through the chamber outlet 208 is lessrestricted. It should be appreciated that the blocking member 216 maycompletely or partially restrict the flow of air through the chamberoutlet 208 when the blocking member 216 is in a closed position.

The operation of the OPEP device 200 will now be described withreference to the illustrations shown in FIGS. 9-13. In FIGS. 9-13, theflow of air through the device 200 is illustrated by dashed lines.However, it should be appreciated that the dashed lines are exemplaryand provided for purposes of illustration. The actual flow air throughthe device 200 may traverse any number of flow paths.

In general, administration of OPEP therapy using the OPEP device 200begins with the blocking member 216 in an open position, as shown inFIG. 12. With the blocking member 216 in this position, as a userexhales into the mouthpiece 212, or user interface, exhaled air flowsinto the chamber 204 through the chamber inlet 206. In response to theflow of air through the chamber inlet 206, the turbine 214 begins torotate, allowing the air to flow between the chamber inlet 206 and thepassage 211 connecting the first portion 207 of the chamber with thesecond portion 209 of the chamber 204. Because the first linkage 202 isoperatively connected to the turbine 214 via the shaft 218, rotation ofthe turbine 214 results in rotation of the first linkage 202, which inturn causing the second linkage 222 to rotate relative to the firstlinkage 220 and the blocking member 216, as the blocking member 216 isdriven between an open position, shown in FIG. 12, and a closedposition, shown in FIG. 13. As the blocking member 216 is moved from anopen position shown in FIG. 12 to a closed position shown in FIG. 13,the air flowing from the passage 211 through the second portion 209 ofthe chamber 204 is restricted from exiting the chamber 204 through thechamber outlet 208, thereby causing the pressure throughout the device200 to increase. As a user continues to exhale, and the turbine 214continues to rotate, the blocking member 216 returns to an openposition, allowing the air in the chamber 204 to exit the chamber 204through the chamber outlet 208, resulting in a decrease in pressurethroughout the device 200. During a period of exhalation, the blockingmember 216 reciprocates repeatedly between an open position and a closedposition, causing the pressure in the device to oscillate between alower pressure and a higher pressure, which is in turn transmitted tothe user's airways, thereby administering OPEP therapy.

Turning to FIGS. 14-19, a third embodiment of an OPEP device 300 isshown. In general, the OPEP device 300 includes a housing 302 enclosinga chamber 304, a chamber inlet 308, a chamber outlet 308, a vent 338, amouthpiece 312 in communication with the chamber inlet 306, a turbine314 rotatably mounted within the chamber 304 via a shaft 318, a blockingmember 316, and a pair of arms 320, 322 operatively connected to theshaft 318.

The housing 302 and OPEP device 300 components may be constructed of anydurable material, such as a low friction plastic or polymer, and mayinclude an upper section 303, an inner section 301, and a lower section305 that are removably attachable such that the chamber 304 may beperiodically accessed for cleaning and/or replacement of the turbine314. In addition, although the mouthpiece 312 is shown as being fixedlyattached to the housing 302, it is envisioned that the mouthpiece 312may be removeable and replaceable with a mouthpiece of a different shapeor size. Preferably, the size or cross-sectional area of the mouthpiece312 is greater than the size or cross-sectional area of the chamberinlet 306. It is envisioned that other user interfaces, such asbreathing tubes or gas masks (not shown), may alternatively beassociated with the housing 302.

Turning to FIG. 17, an assembly of internal components of the OPEPdevice 300 includes the turbine 314, the inner section 301 of thehousing 302, the pair of arms 320, 322, and the blocking member 316. Theturbine 314 is rotatably mounted via the shaft 318 within the innersection 301 of the housing 302, which partially forms the chamber 304,along with the lower section 305 of the housing 302. Like the turbine214 in the OPEP device 200, the turbine 314 is configured to rotate inresponse to a flow of air through the chamber inlet 306, and could haveas few as one vane, or many more vanes, the size and shape of which mayvary. Each of the pair of arms 320, 322 (also shown in FIG. 16) arefixed to the shaft 318 such that rotation of the turbine 314 and theshaft 318 results in rotation of the arms 320, 322.

The blocking segment 316 is mounted to the inner section 301 of thehousing 302 about a pair of hinges 328, 330, such that the blockingsegment 316 may rotate relative to the chamber outlet 308 between aclosed position, as shown in FIG. 17, where the flow of air through thechamber outlet 308 is restricted, and an open position, as shown in FIG.18, where the flow of air through the chamber outlet 308 is lessrestricted. The blocking member 316 includes a pair of contact surfaces332, 334 (also shown in FIG. 16) configured to periodically engage thepair of arms 320, 322 as the pair of arms 320, 322 rotate with theturbine 314 and the shaft 318, thereby moving the blocking member 316from an open position to a closed position. The blocking member 316 alsohas a center of mass offset from the pair of hinges 328, 330, or theaxis of rotation, such that when the contact surfaces 332, 334 are notengaged with the pair of arms 320, 322, the blocking member 316 moves toan open position, where the contact surfaces 332, 334 may engage a stop336.

The operation of the OPEP device 300 will now be described withreference to the illustration shown in FIGS. 17-18. In FIG. 18, the flowof air through the device 300 is illustrated by a dashed line. However,it should be appreciated that the dashed line is exemplary and providedfor purposes of illustration. The actual flow air through the device 300may traverse any number of flow paths.

In general, administration of OPEP therapy using the OPEP device 300begins with the blocking member 316 in an open position, as shown inFIG. 18. As a user exhales in to the mouthpiece 312, exhaled air travelsthrough the housing 302 and enters the chamber 304 through the chamberinlet 306. In response to the flow of air through the chamber inlet 306,the turbine 314 begins to rotate, and exhaled air traverses the chamber304, exiting the chamber 304 through the chamber outlet 308. Onceexhaled air exits the chamber 304, it may travel through the housing 302and exit the device 300 through the vent 338.

As a user continues to exhale, and the turbine 314 continues to rotate,the shaft 318 rotates, causing the pair of arms 320, 322 to also rotate.As the pair of arms 320, 322 rotate, they periodically engage thecontact surfaces 332, 334 on the blocking member 316, as shown in FIG.17, causing the blocking member 316 to rotate about the pair of hinges328, 330 from an open position, shown in FIG. 18, to a closed position,shown in FIG. 17. As the blocking member 316 is moved from an open to aclosed position, the air flowing through the chamber 304 is restrictedfrom exiting the chamber 304 through the chamber outlet 308, therebycausing the pressure in the chamber 304 and the mouthpiece 312 toincrease. As a user continues to exhale, and the turbine 314 continuesto rotate, the pair of arms 320, 322 disengage the contact surfaces 332,334, and the blocking member 316 returns to an open position, allowingthe air in the chamber 304 to exit the chamber 304 through the chamberoutlet 308, resulting in a decrease in pressure in the chamber 304 andthe mouthpiece 312. During a period of exhalation, the blocking member316 moves repeatedly between an open position and a closed position,causing the pressure in the device 300 to oscillate between a lowerpressure and a higher pressure, which is in turn transmitted to theuser's airways, thereby administering OPEP therapy.

Finally, as best seen in FIG. 15-16, the OPEP device 300 is equippedwith an inhalation portal 324 having a one-way vale 326, which is shownseparately in FIG. 19. The one-way valve 326 includes a plurality oftabs or flaps 327 which are configured to open during a period ofinhalation, thereby allowing air to travel through the inhalation port324 and the one-way valve 326, and close during a period of exhalation,thereby directing the flow of exhaled air through the chamber inlet 306.In this way, a user may exhale into the OPEP device 300 for theadministration of OPEP therapy, as described above, and also inhale airsurrounding the OPEP device 300 through the inhalation portal 324.Alternatively, the OPEP device 300 may be used in combination with anebulizer for the combined administration of OPEP and aerosol therapies.Any of a number of commercially available nebulizers may be connected tothe OPEP device 300 via the inhalation portal 324. One suitablenebulizer is the AeroEclipse® II breath actuated nebulizer availablefrom Trudell Medical International of London, Canada. Descriptions ofsuitable nebulizers may also be found, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.5,823,179, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by referenceherein. In this way, a user may exhale into the OPEP device 300 for theadministration of OPEP therapy, as described above, and also inhale anaerosolized medicament from an attached nebulizer through the one-wayvalve 324 and the inhalation portal 324. While the inhalation port 324is shown in connection with the OPEP device 300, it should beappreciated that the OPEP device 100 and the OPEP device 200 could alsoinclude an inhalation port and one way-valve configured to operate asdescribed above.

Although the description of the embodiments described above refer to theadministration of OPEP therapy on exhalation, it should be appreciatedthat such embodiments are also configurable for the administration ofoscillating pressure therapy upon exhalation only, inhalation only, orboth exhalation and inhalation. Accordingly, the terms “oscillatingpositive respiratory pressure” and “oscillating positive expiratorypressure,” or “OPEP,” may be used interchangeably. Similarly, the term“respiratory” may refer to inhalation, exhalation, or both inhalationand exhalation. Use of any such term should not be construed as alimitation to only inhalation or only exhalation.

The foregoing description of the inventions has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the inventions to the precise forms disclosed. Itwill be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present inventionsare susceptible of many variations and modifications coming within thescope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A respiratory treatment device comprising: ahousing enclosing a chamber; a chamber inlet configured to receive aflow of air into the chamber; a first chamber outlet configured topermit the flow of air to exit the chamber; a second chamber outletconfigured to permit the flow of air to exit the chamber; a vane mountedwithin the chamber, the vane being configured to rotate between a firstposition where the flow of air is directed to exit the chamber throughthe first chamber outlet, and a second position where the flow of air isdirected to exit the chamber through the second chamber outlet; ablocking member disposed on the vane, the blocking member moveablerelative to the chamber inlet between a closed position where the flowof air through the chamber inlet is restricted, and an open positionwhere the flow of air through the chamber inlet is less restricted. 2.The respiratory treatment device of claim 1, wherein the vane isconfigured to rotate in response to the flow of air into the chamber. 3.The respiratory treatment device of claim 1, wherein the vane isconfigured to repeatedly reciprocate between the first position and thesecond position in response to the flow of air into the chamber.
 4. Therespiratory treatment device of claim 1, wherein the vane is prohibitedfrom completing a complete revolution.
 5. The respiratory treatmentdevice of claim 1, wherein a size of the blocking member is greater thana size of the chamber inlet.
 6. The respiratory treatment device ofclaim 1, wherein a size of the blocking member is less than a size ofthe chamber inlet.
 7. The respiratory treatment device of claim 1,wherein an axis of rotation of the vane is offset from a center of thevane.
 8. The respiratory treatment device of claim 1, furtheringcomprising a mouthpiece, wherein a cross sectional area of themouthpiece is larger than a cross sectional area of the chamber inlet.9. The respiratory treatment device of claim 8, further comprising aninhalation port in communication with the mouthpiece, the inhalationport comprising a one-way valve configured to open upon inhalation andclose upon exhalation.
 10. A respiratory treatment device comprising: ahousing enclosing a chamber; an inlet configured to receive a flow ofair into the chamber; an outlet configured to permit the flow of air toexit chamber; a blocking member mounted in the chamber, the blockingmember being moveable relative to the chamber outlet between a closedposition where the flow of air through the exit is restricted, and anopen position where the flow of air through the chamber outlet is lessrestricted; at least one vane rotatably mounted in the chamber, the atleast one vane being configured to move the blocking member between theclosed position and the open position in response to the flow of airinto the chamber.
 11. The respiratory treatment device of claim 10,wherein the blocking member is connected to the at least one vane by ashaft and at least one linkage.
 12. The respiratory treatment device ofclaim 11, wherein the shaft and the at least one linkage cooperate tomove the blocking member in linear reciprocating motion.
 13. Therespiratory treatment device of claim 10, wherein the blocking member isconfigured to move between the open position and the closed position inresponse to contact from an arm connected to the at least one vane. 14.The respiratory treatment device of claim 10, wherein the blockingmember is biased toward the open position.
 15. The respiratory treatmentdevice of claim 10, wherein the at least one vane comprises a turbinehaving a plurality of vanes.
 16. The respiratory treatment device ofclaim 10, wherein the chamber comprises a first portion enclosing the atleast one vane and a second portion enclosing the blocking member. 17.The respiratory treatment device of claim 16, wherein the first portionis in communication with the second portion.
 18. The respiratorytreatment device of claim 10, further comprising a mouthpiece, wherein across sectional area of the mouthpiece is larger than a cross sectionalarea of the chamber inlet.
 19. The respiratory treatment device of claim18, further comprising an inhalation port in communication with themouthpiece, the inhalation port comprising a one-way valve configured toopen upon inhalation and close upon exhalation.
 20. A method ofperforming respiratory treatment, the method comprising: receiving aflow of air into a device having an inlet configured to receive a flowof air into the device, a first outlet configured to permit the flow airto exit the device, and a second outlet configured to permit the flow ofair to exit the device; rotating a vane mounted within the devicerepeatedly between a first position where the flow of air is directed toexit the chamber through the first chamber outlet, and a second positionwhere the flow of air is directed to exit the chamber through the secondchamber outlet; and, moving a blocking member disposed on the vanerelative to the chamber inlet between a closed position where the flowof air through the chamber inlet is restricted, and an open positionwhere the flow of air through the chamber inlet is less restricted.